Children & Coronavirus

Dr Perks, one of our PCN GPs at Pembroke Road Surgery, who has a background in paediatrics and children of her own, has made videos to answer as many of your questions as possible:

What should I do if my child has a cold?

 

 

A 5 minute brief summary of what to do if your child is snotty and coughing- should you send them to school? Yes if they are well in themselves and the cough is just occasional and due to all the mucus!

Poorly Poppets: Coronavirus Edition September 2020

 

 

How is coronavirus affecting children? What should I do if my baby has a fever? How can I tell if they are struggling with their breathing? When should I call for help? 

This 30 minute video will guide you through all of this- please take the time to watch, especially if your baby is under one and you haven't managed a feverish illness yet (an important part of parenting!).

A few notes on the video:

1. Note all children of 3 months and under should seek medical help if they have a fever >37.8'C

2. Asymptomatic means a well child displaying no symptoms at all 

3. This advice is given in September 2020 based on best practice, NICE, PHE and NHS England guidance and advice from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

 

FAQs & Useful Resources

Is Coronavirus making children ill?

The research is all extremely reassuring that our children are safe. As of September 2020 our local Children's Hospital have had a small handful of incidental positive tests in children, none of whom have been in critical care.

There is good data from the UK showing that children (especially primary school aged children and younger) are about half as likely to be infected with COVID-19 than adults.

https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-research-evidence-summaries

https://covid.joinzoe.com/post/back-to-school

Should I send my child to school if they have a cold?

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health advises that all children with a cold and sore throat but no fever who would normally go to school should continue to do so without the need for a Covid 19 test.

https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/covid-19-talking-children-families-about-returning-school-guiding-principles​

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/letter-from-phe-and-nhs-test-and-trace-to-school-and-college-leaders/letter-from-phe-and-nhs-test-and-trace-to-school-and-college-leaders​

What should I do if my child is ill?

Please watch the 'Poorly Poppets' video above. Other useful resources:

COVID-19 (coronavirus) testing: Guidance for parents and carers

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/coronavirus-in-children/

https://patient.info/childrens-health/fever-in-children-high-temperature

https://patient.info/chest-lungs/cough-leaflet/coughs-and-colds-in-children

https://child-cough.bristol.ac.uk/

An excellent video which all parents should watch- how to spot the signs of sepsis in your child:

https://healthinnovationnetwork.com/sepsis/

Should I stay off work if my child's school bubble has had a positive test?

It's OK, you do not need to self isolate  if your child is off school because someone in their bubble has tested positive:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools

'Household members of those contacts who are sent home do not need to self-isolate themselves unless the child, young person or staff member who is self-isolating subsequently develops symptoms. If someone in a class or group that has been asked to self-isolate develops symptoms themselves within their 14-day isolation period they should follow guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. They should get a test, and......'